Egypt’s richest man, Nassef Sawiris shifts to non-executive role after 13 years leading OCI Global

Egypt’s richest man, Nassef Sawiris, will step down as executive chairman of OCI Global, marking a leadership transition at one of the world’s largest nitrogen and methanol producers.

The Amsterdam-listed industrial group confirmed that Sawiris will stand for election as a non-executive director at its next annual general meeting.

The move, which will see Sawiris taking on major external roles, including being proposed as chairman of Adidas, ends his more than decade-long tenure as executive chairman while allowing him to remain actively involved in the company’s strategic direction.

Leadership transition at OCI Global
OCI said it will provide further updates on the appointment of a new executive director to its board in due course.

Sawiris has led the company since 2013, when OCI N.V. was created following the restructuring of Orascom Construction Industries. His tenure coincided with a period of significant transformation that expanded the company’s global footprint across fertilizers, methanol and other nitrogen-based chemicals.

Building a global fertilizer producer
Under Sawiris’ leadership, OCI evolved from a regional industrial business into a multinational chemicals producer with operations spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.

The company strengthened its manufacturing base and expanded supply chains across multiple markets, positioning itself as a key global supplier of fertilizers and methanol products.

Today, OCI operates across four continents with annual production capacity of roughly 17.2 million metric tonnes.

Billions returned to shareholders
During its years as a publicly listed company, OCI distributed roughly $22 billion in dividends to shareholders, highlighting the value created during Sawiris’ leadership.

The Egyptian billionaire remains the company’s largest shareholder, controlling about 38.8 percent of OCI Global.

Sawiris retains strategic influence
Although stepping away from executive duties, Sawiris’ move to a non-executive director role ensures he will continue to influence the company’s long-term strategy.

His transition marks the end of an era for OCI Global while preserving the guidance of one of the Middle East’s most prominent industrial investors.